The French Navy (Marine Nationale) sole aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in dry dock since February 2017 for its mid-life refit following 15 years of operational deployments during which it was involved in most of the international conflicts in which France took part (Afghanistan, Libya, Levant) and in particular three times since January 2015. This major overhaul focuses on three main elements: The combat management system of the vessel, the carrier air wing facilities and the ship management systems.

Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle during its mid-life refit in the Vauban dry dock at Toulon naval base.

Our video report on Charles de Gaulle's mid-life refit.

Combat System Modernization Thanks to the upgrade of its combat system (and associated sensors), Charles de Gaulle is set to retain top of the line sensor and processing capabilities for the next 25 years. The combat system modernization includes:

1/ Modernization of the SENIT 8 combat direction system (CDS) by DCNS which is the heart of the CMS and fuses the ship' sensors with effectors (weapon systems).

2/ New multifunction workstations in the combat information center (CIC): There will be 25 new workstations plus a cooperative (touch screen) tactical table in the middle.

3/ Installation of new digital networks, computer racks and data servers as well as the new "cybersecurity" solution by DCNS which was recently unveiled at Euronaval. The digital systems on DCNS's future combat vessels will be protected by design. DCNS, as project management leader and integrator of the armed vessel, integrates cybersecurity over the entire lifecycle of its products and services, which are designed to be cyber-resilient. Charles de Gaulle is set to be the very first vessel to benefit from this technology.

4/ Replacement of the old DRBJ-11B surveillance radar with a SMART-S Mk2 multifunction 3D radar by Thales. According to Thales, SMART-S Mk2 is the latest 3D multibeam radar. It operates in S-band and is optimised for medium-to-long-range surveillance and target designation in littoral environments.

5/ Replacement of the old DRBN-34 navigation radar with a SCANTER 6002 by Terma. According to Terma, the SCANTER 6002 naval surveillance radar is a fully coherent solid state radar with software-defined functionality. Advanced techniques such as Frequency Diversity and Time Diversity provide superior performance.

6/ Installation of a new IRST (infra red search and track) system: The ARTEMIS by Thales. According to Thales, ARTEMIS is the most advanced cooled IRST and provides high performance short and long range IRST, against asymmetric and conventional threats.

7/ Installation of a new electro-optical system: the EOMS NG by Sagem (Safran): Two systems will be installed. According to Sagem, EOMS NG provides automatic 360° detection, identification, and gun/short range missile engagement of all surface and air targets, from anti-ship sea-skimming missiles to Fast Incoming Attack Craft (FIAC).

Rare view of the DGA's Shore Integration Facility located in St Mandrier near Toulon naval base.

The above systems are currently being tested by the DGA (French defense procurement agency) at the SESDA (site d'experimentation des systemes de défense aérienne) Shore Integration Facility (SIF). The SIF is similar to a "ship on land". It is used to integrate and test all the future combat systems and sensors of the aircraft carrier on land before their installation aboard the vessel. This significantly reduces the development and integration time aboard the vessel. Thanks to the SIF, many tests can be conducted on land in a short time and at a fraction of the cost (compared to deploying a vessel and its crew). It helps identify and correct potential conflicts or issues with the new systems before their installation aboard the vessel.

DGA teams are in charge of the development of the new combat system and in charge of organizing its test campaigns while DCNS is in charge of conducting the tests at the SIF. DCNS also uses the SIF to train French Navy sailors with their future equipments.

Elements of one of the two aircraft catapults under maintenance.

Air Wing Facilities Upgrade

With the Super Etendard Modernisé SEM now retired from service, aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is transitioning to a "100% Rafale" fighter air wing. With this transition all the equipment devoted to the SEM are taken off board. The on board installations are being adapted to acommodate about 30 Rafale figther aircraft (in addition to the E-2C Hawkeyes and helicopters).

The air wing facilities upgrade includes: 1/ Removal of engine test benches and workshops dedicated to the SEM (the space released will now be used to increase the maintenance capacity for the Rafale).

4/ Installation of the new DALAS-NG (Dispositif d'aide à l'Appontage LASer Nouvelle Génération) laser landing assistance device in place of the old one.

5/ Replacement of the IFLOLS (Improved Fresnel Lens Optical Landing System) with one of the latest technology, similar to the one currently fitted aboard the U.S. Navy future class of aicraft carriers (Ford-class / CVN 78).

The crew of the aircraft carrier takes part in the mid-life refit operations of their vessel too.

Ship Management Systems Modernization

Among other things, it is necessary to modernize the platform's automatic controllers, the centralized ship management system and the damage control systems.

2/ Renovation of the SATRAP computerised, integrated stabilisation system allowing aircraft to be operated up to sea state 5/6.

3/ A new network for the RSPN ship platform, which will integrate equipment monitoring systems.

4/ Modernization of production plants for cold water, air conditioning, refrigeration of computer racks...

The Charles de Gaulle inside the dry dock.

Other Support and Overhaul Operations

In addition to the modernization of the aircraft carrier under DGA contracting authority, this mid-life refit is used to conduct both preventive and corrective actions in terms of general maintenance of the vessel. These "through life support" operations are conducted under the control of the French Navy "fleet support service" (service de soutien de la flotte) and relate to nuclear installations, aviation, platform, combat system.